Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!!! If you didn't get a card in the mail, I apologize. I did my cards in shifts and couldn't find who I had sent to or not- so hopefully no one got duplicates. And if you didn't get one, here is a digital version!

This year was great for our family. A few highlights

-We survived another tax season with a newborn. Thankfully Landon was a super sweet and easy baby.

-We sold our house that we had lived in for 8 years.

-We got to live with Billy's parents for about 2 months in between houses. They were so gracious with all five of us invading their space. The kids especially loved it. I loved taking turns making dinner!

-We bought a new house in the next neighborhood over from our old one and got to stay in the same ward and school.

-Billy was called as a nursery leader after bragging about his sweet calling as Assistant Stake Athletic Director. The Lord must have felt I needed to work on my organization skills as I am the RS Secretary at church.

-Brayden started first grade and decided it's not fair that he has to go all day while his siblings are home with me. He is doing great and recently was given the citizenship award at a special assembly.

-Brooklyn is attending a preschool co-op with our friends. She loves it and is very social. She loves playing with her animals and pretending to be a dog.

-Billy coached Brayden's soccer and b-ball teams. Brayden thought it was the coolest thing ever to have his dad as coach.

-Landon has gotten nearly all of his teeth, LOVES to eat, and to follow his siblings by army crawling all over.

-I have had fun getting the house put together, planning little projects and "someday" projects that we will eventually get to...someday. I love staying home with the kids each day, although I feel like I never get anything done. Life is good!

Merry Christmas!

Charity

Last night for family home evening, we went to the store to get gifts for the kids' cousins. As we wandered down the isles, the "I want this" and "Mom, buy me that" made me feel a bit hopeless about my children really getting the true meaning of Christmas. We've been trying to teach them about service and giving to others, having them put coins in the red Salvation Army buckets, writing down our service for others, putting little yellow yarn pieces (straw) in a manger as we do secret service for our family members. However, all that "wanting" made me feel that the message just wasn't getting across. Perhaps all my questions of "what do you want for Christmas?" didn't help matters.

However, as we were getting ready to leave Brayden said, "Dad, there's ten bucks." Billy thinking he was talking about a toy costing ten dollars agreed. "No, Dad, There is ten bucks on the ground."

We picked it up and asked everyone around us if they had dropped it. Several people smiled, said no, and told Brayden it must be his lucky day. While Billy went to pay for our items, we waited there and asked around a little more. Then I told Brayden we needed to check customer service to see if anyone had lost it, and if not he could keep it.

Well, when we got to customer service, they lady told us they would keep it and see if anyone claimed it. Of course, I could just see some employee buying their dinner with it, so I asked, "Can you take our number, and if no one claims it, give us a call?"

"Well," she said, "if no one claims it, we donate it to charity. It is up to you if you want to turn it in or not."

I decided I would leave it up to Brayden, so I asked him what he wanted to do. His reply stopped me in my tracks. "Charity is the most important," and with that, he handed the ten dollars to the lady.

I was so proud of him. As we were walking out of the store, I was filling Billy in on what had happened. A woman came up behind us and asked Brayden if he was the little boy that had turned in the ten dollars. He said yes, then she proceeded to tell us that she had lost it and she appreciated him turning it in. Then, to make the ending even more perfect, she handed him two dollars. He was glowing with the knowledge he had done the right thing, and he now had two dollars to top it off!

Our lesson that night is one that I will always remember, "Charity is the most important!" Thank you Brayden for your very fine example. I love you!

Great Grandkids

Here is Billy's grandma with all of her "Smith" great-grandkids. It was a bit of a feat getting them to all stay half-way still long enough to get a picture.
Grammie loves her kiddos and is always willing to babysit them and play with them. She spoils them rotten!

Momma Mia

We-the kids and I- went home for my Mom's birthday! We hadn't been back there for quite a while, and it was so fun- shopping, eating, talking, eating etc....

Five things I love about my mom

1. She has a very similar sense of humor as me (hence the wrapping paper hat I made her wear), so she actually laughs at what I say!

2. She works hard- seriously, I don't know of anyone that has a stronger work ethic than she does. If only I had inherited that, I might get stuff done.

3. She is so cute! She has always looked a lot younger than she is, and she is just so tiny and pretty.

4. She loves her kids- even though we drove her up the wall and made her crazy- she still let us know how much she loved us, and still does.

5. I can talk to her- if I go a week without talking to my mom, I go crazy. She is always there for me. I love you Mom!

Happy 1st Birthday Landon!

One year ago today, our sweet little boy came into our family. His big brother and big sister could hardly wait to meet him. He is such a good, sweet boy- so quick to smile! It is hard to put into words how much I love this little guy. He loves to cuddle, loves to eat, loves to watch, loves to play, loves to stick his fingers in my mouth, loves to stand up and hang onto furniture, loves to crawl on his tummy, love to follow his big sister and brother around, loves to put things in his mouth, loves to go 0utside, loves his toys, loves to laugh, loves his Daddy and Mommy. Landon, we love YOU!

I think he had more hair then than he does now!

Happy Birthday Landon!

3 months old with aunt Lexi

6 months old with Mom and Dad at Lagoon.

9 months old with Brayden and Brooklyn

Oh, Landon (almost 12 months), what a mean mom you have!! Yes, I couldn't resist sticking those flowers onto the few hairs on his head- just for a minute. At least you are GQ-ing it with your collar!

SMART kid

Yesterday Brooklyn, Landon and I were out shopping. When we got back to our car, I saw one of those cool little smart cars had parked next to us.

Me: Brooklyn, do you see that itty bitty car.


B: Yeah, Mom, I already saw it.


(as we are driving away)


B:Mom, I bet it has an itty bitty Mommy for it, and an itty bitty Daddy and an itty bitty kid!





This morning:


Me: Brooklyn who do you want to marry? (I ask her this because she has been talking about her friend Jackson nonstop)


Brooklyn: Brayden, because I love him.


(oh how sweet, if only she acted like she loved him too)





Last night:


Me: Brooklyn, will you put these markers away?


B: I can't mom, my arms are to sleepy.

SEASONS!

One of the things I love about Idaho is that we experience all four seasons. This fall has been especially beautiful. We have had some really freezing days, but also some mild ones. A few Sundays ago we decided to take a drive up to the mountains. We didn't have a plan, or even know where we were going, but we ended up on a little road above Garden Valley. It was beautiful! After we parked the car, the kids and Billy hiked up this huge rock. Landon and I stayed down below where it was safe. Then Brooklyn, Landon and I headed down the road, while Billy and Brayden climbed up the big rock. The picture above is from their viewpoint. Those little dots are us! The sun was actually setting, so by the time we got back to the car it was getting dusk. We came home with a bag of pinecones and "beautiful, special rocks." We might have fit a few more Sunday drives into our weekends from now on....

Better late than never!

Happy Halloween!

Although this picture totally didn't turn out, I still had to post it because it really shows, however blurrily, how much these two cousins love each other. Brooklyn the Ladybug and Maren aka Princess Aurora had lots and lots of fun trick or treating together. They were hand in hand most of the time walking down the sidewalk. Brooklyn also got to have her friend Becca the beautiful butterfly trick or treat with her too! They were all so darling.

And here is the Black Ninja and his super sidekick Batman. They ran from house to house!

My darling little ladybug and all her loot- in her "ghosty"

Brooklyn with her preschool buddies!

I'm not sure who loves halloween more- oh, wait, it's me!

PUMPKINS

Usually we get together with our friends and all carve pumpkins together, but this year Brayden got a fever so we had to cancel. By Friday night he still was a little hot, so we stayed home from the church party and carved pumpkins instead. My little pumpkin...I tried to get him to fit inside, but his little diaper bum just wouldn't fit!

Brooklyn told me what she wanted on her pumpkin- Triangle eyes, a circle nose and a sad face. I'm not sure how she was able to mimic her pumpkin so well, but it was pretty funny.

Billy just loves to pose for pictures! Actually, he was trying to look "mad" like his pumpkin!

Brayden also designed his pumpkin. It was a little tricky trying to cut out all the little things he drew, but it did end up looking pretty spooky!

Leaves!

"October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came-
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band."
- George Cooper, October's Party

Women's Fitness Celebration 2009

Yes, I'm playing catch up.
What would September be without the Women's Fitness Celebration? It was so much fun as always. My mom even came up to walk it with me. I love having her around. It was fun seeing a lot of the other gals on our "team." Tess, my cute prego sister in law even walked it 8+ months along! With the move and unpacking and everything I decided not to run it. Last year, I was preggers so I walked too. Next year, no excuses-I'll be running it again. Who's with me?

Book Worm

Does this girl love her books or what?!!!

No wonder she is always so sleepy in the mornings.

Landon 10 months old!!!

Landon has to be one of the sweetest little things on this earth. He is a bundle of silliness, contentment, and joy. At ten months old, he is army crawling all over the place and finding stray cheerios under the table. He loves to eat- pretty much anything he can fit in his mouth. The other day he gnawed on the end of a raw zucchini. He loves to stand up holding onto furniture or someone. He always gets a big grin, like he thinks he is pretty hot stuff. He thinks his big brother and sister are hilarious, and always laughs at them the most. He also got his top 3 teeth in at the same time and developed a silly look- a great big scowl. Now the scowl is usually followed by a big smile, unless he is tired, and then it is a cry.

Brooklyn's Preschool

Three years old and as good as gold! Better late than never, right? Brookly was soooo excited to get to go to preschool. This year, we are doing a mommy co-op, which was perfect because she is still so young. Although Brayden would have struggled with going to a different house each week, Brooklyn is a more "go with the flow" kind of kid. She loves that some of her best friends are in it. They are a sweet group of kids. She let me get her all dolled up for her first day.

His First Day First Grade!

Brayden started school on Wednesday- yeah I know it is super early, but his school is on a year round track. He was so excited, especially since two of his best friends are in his class. His teacher is awesome and when I asked him how his first day was, he said "perfecto!!!" I can't believe how big my baby is! I'm excited for all this next school year will bring!

My handsome six year old!

One last hug!

Half Baby, Half Pit Bull

Landon has taken to growling with every meal! 8 months old. Oh, and if you listen, you might think he got it from me- I've got a pretty wicked growl myself :)

Sleep Over!

After we had moved all the way out of our house, we went back for one last night in our home. It was bitter sweet, with a lot of mixed emotions. We are excited for what is ahead of us, but really sad to leave our first home. It was the place that we brought all our babies home to, our first yard, and the first place we could really say was "ours." We packed up some blankets, snacks, and the computer to watch a movie on. We put Landon to bed and popped some popcorn. It was fun to have one last night at the house.

Landon
Brayden "sleeping" downstairs- posing for the picture

Brooklyn showing off her karate movesMovie Time!!!

New House

A little update- So, we had the inspection done on our new house and things looked great. We will close sometime the end of August! Wahoo! We are excited to have more room to play, and even happier it is so close to all of our great friends and that we will be able to stay in the same ward and school. It is in a nice cul de sac. Brayden can't wait to ride his bike around it! The backyard is nice and big and we'll even be sharing part of the fence with some great friends of ours.

We closed on our old house about 1 1/2 weeks ago, and moved in with Billy's parents while we wait to close on our next house. It has been a lot of fun. They are such great people and very easy to live with. The kids have been having a blast hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa and going out to the garden with Uncle Ryan and Aunt Tess.

We've had fun playing with Grandma's toys and the kids have started swimming lessons- I'll post pics later. That's all for now folks!

Landon Landon I haven't forgotten

I know it may seem so my dear little one, but I haven't forgotten you. So you don't feel neglected darling, here are some pictures of you...

Watching your big bro playing soccer 5 1/2 mo.

Landon with Grandma Smith at Eagle Island State Park- check out his blankie hat!

almost 7 months You love your big boy food! 6 1/2 months

Riding on the train at Lagoon 6 months

One handsome guy! 6 1/2 months